U.S. women upset top-ranked Russia at World Championships The U.S. women's national volleyball team posted a stunning 3-2 win over Russia, the world's No. 1-ranked team, on the second day of the 2002 Women's Volleyball World Campionships at Sachsen Arena in Riesa, Germany. by Paul Soriano USA Volleyball Manager, Public Relations & Publications The seventh time proved to be the charm for the United States. After six losses in six matches against Russia in the 2002 season, the U.S. women's national volleyball team found payback in a big way Saturday night by posting a stunning 3-2 win over the world's No. 1ranked team on the second day of the 2002 Women's Volleyball World Championships at Sachsen Arena in Riesa, Germany. Middle blocker Danielle Scott and outside hitter Keba Phipps each scored 17 points to lead the United States to a 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 19-25, 15-8 victory, the second win in two nights in Pool C for the Americans. "This was a great victory and an important win for our ranking and placement to advance to the next round," said Scott. "(We) did a good job of blocking at key moments in the match as well as making key defensive plays that gave us an opportunity for out-of-system scoring. We now need to keep building from here." Scott (Baton Rouge, La./Long Beach State) had 11 kills and a match-high-tying six blocks, while Phipps (Lakewood, Calif./Foppapedretti Bergamo) registered 11 kills, five blocks and one service ace. As a team, the United States held a slight edge over Russia in blocking, 17-15. Scott leads all blockers in the tournament with an average of 1.38 per set, while middle blocker Heather Bown ranks ninth with 1.00 blocks per set. "Of course this victory gives us a boost, perhaps even more energy for the upcoming matches - especially bearing in mind that we didn't have a long preparation for the World Championship," said Team USA head coach Toshi Yoshida. "However, I want to remind you that we're still in the first round." Outside hitter Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah/Stanford) added 13 points on nine kills, a match-high three aces and one block, while Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif./Hawai'i) had 12 points on eight kills, three blocks and one ace. "Tonight was a great team win. The atmosphere on the court was awesome," said starting setter Jen Flynn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Ohio State). "Everyone came to win tonight and you could see it in everyone's eyes. Our blocking and defense were keys to the victory. It's always great to win against a team like Russia, but it's only the beginning. We have to maintain this focus as we continue through this tournament." Ekaterina Gamova scored a match-high 27 points on 21 kills and six blocks to lead Russia (1-1 in Pool C), the silver medallist at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Evguenia Artamonova added 15 points for the Russians, while Elizaveta Tichtchenko chipped in with 14 points. Russia, one of the favorites to win the World Championship, won a pair of prestigious tournaments earlier this summer -- the Montreux Volley Masters in Switzerland in June and the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong earlier this month -- to solidify its hold on the world's No. 1 ranking. The Russians won a pair of fiveset matches against the United States at the Grand Prix in pool play after taking all four meetings when the U.S. played a friendly series in Moscow and Tula immediately following the Montreux Volley Masters in June. On paper, the Americans figure to be favored in their remaining three Pool C matches against the Dominican Republic (tomorrow), Puerto Rico (Monday) and Kenya (Tuesday). But in order to advance to the second round it must avoid a letdown following Saturday's monumental win and beat the teams it is supposed to beat. "We're very pleased with our performance; it's good for our mental strength," said USA team captain Tara Cross-Battle. "Nevertheless we still have a long way to go and have to concentrate upon tomorrow's opponent." 2002 WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS USA POOL C RESULTS/SCHEDULE (FIRST ROUND) Friday, Aug. 30 USA def. Argentina, 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-21) Saturday, Aug. 31 USA def. Russia, 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 19-25, 15-8) Sunday, Sept. 1 USA vs. Dominican Republic (Riesa, Germany) Monday, Sept. 2 USA vs. Puerto Rico (Dresden, Germany) Tuesday, Sept. 3 USA vs. Kenya (Riesa, Germany) SATURDAY'S COMPLETE RESULTS Pool A (Munster) Italy def. Mexico, 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-19) Germany def. Japan, 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 2527, 25-21) Bulgaria def. Czech Republic, 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-9) Pool B (Schwerin) Netherlands def. Egypt, 3-0 (25-12, 25-13, 25-13) Cuba def. Canada, 3-2 (22-25, 2522, 21-25, 25-14, 15-10) Korea def. Romania, 3-1 (25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22) Pool C (Riesa/Dresden) USA def. Russia, 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 19-25, 15-8) Puerto Rico def. Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-19, 28-26, 25-22) Argentina def. Kenya, 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-20) Pool D (Leipzig) China def. Brazil, 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23) Greece def. Australia, 3-1 (25-18, 2520, 19-15, 25-19) Poland def. Thailand, 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-17) POOL STANDINGS (FIRST ROUND, DAY TWO) Pool A Italy (2-0) Bulgaria (2-0) Germany (2-0) Czech Republic (0-2) Japan (0-2) Mexico (0-2) Pool B Netherlands (2-0) Korea (2-0) Canada (1-1) Cuba (1-1) Romania (0-2) Egypt (0-2) Pool C Puerto Rico (2-0) USA (2-0) Russia (1-1) Argentina (1-1) Kenya (0-2) Dominican Republic (0-2) Pool D China (2-0) Greece (2-0) Brazil (1-1) Poland (1-1) Australia (0-2) Thailand (0-2) For more information, go to the FIVB or USA Volleyball web sites. By USA Volleyball Published: 9/1/2002